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The details of Jacques Chiracâs personal finance will remain secret until he finally decides to step down as President of France â and loses his immunity to investigation and prosecution over alleged financial irregularities in his past.

But he may have received a recent boost to his coffers. Bankers working on the €55bn ($68bn) takeover of Aventis by Sanofi-Synthelabo were so happy with the French government’s intervention and insistence on keeping the deal a French affair that they included Chirac on the final deal sheet.

“He was an essential member of the team,” said one banker representing Sanofi. They have sent a copy of the teamsheet to the Elysée Palace. Whether he will see his work on the deal reflected in his annual bonus remains to be seen...